Chapter 9: Forest of Eternal Night

''Rise Glendevire, no need to kneel.'' I said to the prostrating man. He got up and gave me a last bow .~Sigh~ What am I going to do with him?

''Glendevire can you tell me a little about the weird blue forest over there.'' I said pointing in the distance. I received a feather from an elder griffin and I intend to use it.

''That is the mystical forest of Eternal Night. As the name implies, it is always night over there. It came into existence some 200 years ago after the War of Sages when the surviving elder beasts decided to start a nation. Thousands of years have passed in the forest because of the time dilation between the forest and the rest of the world

It is basically a separate world from ours. Humans aren't allowed anywhere near the forest and those that decide to be daring are killed by the dragon that guards the entrance.''

Wow that's interesting. ''Was this War of Sages a battle between wizards or something?'' I asked. The lore of this world is getting intense, first the Author story, the forest now a war. What else does this world have to offer.

''Yes, the greatest sages from the kingdom of Trost in the Ice continent waged war on the rest of the world to prove just how mighty they were. But as every villain story goes they were defeated by the alliance.''

''That's cool and all but we are getting late. Let's go guys.'' Like always Kurama jumped to his throne, my head.

''And thanks again Glendevire for the armour, It suits me hahaha,'' I said, pun intended.

''Come again!,'' he shouted as we disappeared behind the front doors.

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We were now at the main gate ready to head out on our adventure. ''Are you going to fight the monsters oniichan?''

''Yes Nina, you need to stay here and protect your father, I'll come again soon.'' I said as I let Nina off my shoulder. I couldn't take her even if I wanted to. The world out there was too cruel for a cute girl like her.

''Nina!! Where have you been,'' shouted a man as he ran towards us. Sweat was dripping down his forehead. He must have been looking for her evidenced by his worried tone.

''I was with oniichan here, it was fun!!'' exclaimed the young girl. I just waved at the man smiling happily.

''Oniichan, will you really come back,'' she asked with sparkling eyes, I kneeled down and hugged her. '' I'll visit every week, I promise.''

After saying our goodbyes we were off. Our goal was the Eternal Night forest to uncover what mysteries awaited me there. ''Hey Kurama can I mount you, it would be faster that way. I still haven't unlocked my ability to fly.'' I asked the fox.

''~Ugh, finee.'' With that Kurama's size increased to the size of a horse. I picked up Rista in a princess carry and put her on Kurama's back. I jumped on his back and said,

''Giddy up little foxy, Yeehaw!!'' Kurama took off like a storm. I could feel the needle like winds prickling my handsome face. So relaxing.

''Ahhhh!! Slow down Kurama! I'm going to fall.'' cried out Rista as she held onto one of Kurama's tails for dear life. Ironic since gods can't die.

''Hold on! Hahahaha.'' I'm certain Kurama was enjoying this because he doubled his speed and now the world around me was like a blur. He sure can run. I grabbed Rista's arm and pulled her onto my lap and held her tight.

''Is that better my dear goddess?'' my lips were a few inches away from her ear. I could notice her cheeks getting red. Heh, the goddess is embarrassed.

''Y-yes it's b-better,'' she said leaning back into my chest and resting her head on my neck. She's getting comfortable. I see, way to turn the situation into your advantage. She's smarter than she looks.

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After what seemed like a few minutes I could now clearly see the details of the trees in the eternal night forest. We arrived in front of torii gate with a banner hanging in the middle. It read 'The key is the key to the Keys of the Forest, false entry shall be met with death.'

The key must be the feather. I took out the feather from my pocket and walked toward the gate.

~Rumble Rumble~

The ground started shaking and some feet feet away a huge beast emerged from the earth. A 9 foot tall drake dug out of the ground. It had black-brown scales, 2 curvy horns on its head and one single horn on top of its snout. Its underbelly was grey.

Because drakes don't have wings they rely on their legs and man, this one was jacked to the max. I felt hypnotised staring at its well endowed muscles. ''Halt human, show your key or perish,'' the drake said in a deep voice.

I showed the feather to the drake and to my surprise and horror the dragon open its mouth and shot a sea of flames me.

I quickly brought my hands up to block the flames but surprisingly, I didn't feel any heat. I opened my eyes and what I thought were flames that were going to melt me, were revolving around the feather in dazzling rainbow colours.

''Welcome esteemed guest, the elder has been waiting for you. Please come come in and follow me.'' said the drake. It's body began to shrink and morphed into an elderly man. He had long brown hair, reaching down to his knees, a pair of tiny horns on his forehead and was dressed in a tribal wear.

''My name is Gonxue Ling Xue, the guardian of this forest. The Great Elder told me to expect you. Now if you please,'' he said beckoning for us to follow him.

The trees in front of us began splitting, forming a path for us. Well lets get exploring then.

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